Therapeutic potential of biosynthesized nanoparticles using Echinacea species in biological applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15649/2346075X.5232Keywords:
Echinacea-based nanoparticles, biomedical nanotechnology, therapeutic innovations, immune modulation, antimicrobial resistanceAbstract
Introduction. Echinacea species, particularly Echinacea purpurea, possess bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. When formulated into nanoparticles, these compounds may overcome limitations of solubility, stability, and bioavailability, thereby enhancing therapeutic potential against conditions such as antimicrobial resistance, oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and cancer. Objective. The aim was to synthesize available evidence on the physicochemical properties and biomedical applications of Echinacea-based nanostructures. Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect following PRISMA guidelines. Peer-reviewed studies in English describing Echinacea-derived nanoparticles with reported biomedical or therapeutic effects were included. Non-peer reviewed and non-English works were excluded. Screening was performed in two stages, and data on nanoparticle properties, analytical methods, and biological outcomes were narratively synthesized. From 2,862 records, 22 studies met inclusion criteria. Results. Evidence consistently demonstrated that Echinacea-derived nanoparticles possess multifunctional biological activities. Inorganic systems showed strong antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects, with performance influenced by particle size, crystallinity, and surface chemistry. Polymeric and lipid-based carriers improved stability, enhanced bioactive retention, and promoted higher cell viability, while hybrid systems such as electrospun nanofibers integrated antimicrobial action with wound-healing capacity. Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory outcomes were frequently reported, confirming broad therapeutic relevance. Conclusions. Nanoparticle enhanced formulations of Echinacea exhibit strong potential for innovative biomedical applications, including antimicrobial coatings, wound healing, immunotherapy, targeted drug delivery, and chronic disease management. To advance clinical translation, future work must focus on standardizing synthesis protocols, ensuring long-term safety, and clarifying underlying molecular mechanisms.
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